Special Olympics announced today that professional snowboarder and world-champion athlete Hannah Teter now joins the Special Olympics family as the movement’s newest Global Ambassador.

Our Newest Global Ambassador

Hannah Teter took part in Unified Sports events at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, Republic of Korea.

Hannah Teter will be Special Olympics’ first action sports Global Ambassador and will support Special Olympics’ efforts in promoting acceptance, inclusion, respect, and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities.

“I feel extremely honored to join as a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics and plan to advocate for more people with intellectual disabilities to be recognized in mainstream and action sports,” said Hannah Teter. “This cause is so important to me. One of my brothers has an intellectual disability and I’ve always wanted to get more involved with Special Olympics. A year ago I had the chance to take part in opening ceremonies, snowboard with participants and hand out medals at the Special Olympics World Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. I proposed that a Unified Sports Race had to be held around the X-Games. And for the first-time ever, it is happening.”

Celebrity Race

The Special Olympics’ celebrity race presented by Perfect Sense Digital will take place on Sunday, January 26th in Aspen, CO, where Special Olympics’ athletes will be paired up with Hannah Teter, Jamie Anderson, Scotty James and Mitchie Brusco to participate in the dual giant slalom race on Aspen Mountain. The combined times of each snowboarder’s best time (of the two runs) will determine the results of the competition.

Following the race, Special Olympics and Perfect Sense Digital will host a reception in the Aspen Mountain Room at the Sky Hotel announcing Hannah Teter as the newest Special Olympics Global Ambassador.

Welcome from Perfect Sense Digital

"As a long-time supporter of Special Olympics, Perfect Sense Digital is proud to partner with Special Olympics on the announcement of Hannah Teter as the newest Global Ambassador for Special Olympics. Perfect Sense Digital understands the key role that prominent supporters like Hannah take in advancing the mission of Special Olympics and we are thrilled that she will be able to share this critical mission with her youthful and active supporters." - David Gang, Founder and CEO, Perfect Sense Digital

A Video Welcome

Special Olympics International board members who have expressed their warmest welcome in a video include: Olympics Gymnastics Gold Medalists Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci and Figure Skating Champion Michelle Kwan and Olympic Short Track Champion Yang Yang and Olympic Basketball Legend Yao Ming.

Janet Froetscher, CEO of Special Olympics International, extended her congratulations, “Hannah Teter is not only an extremely decorated athlete winning two Olympic medals, but she is also very dedicated in extending her goodwill to causes that are important to her. We believe sport is a vehicle to reveal the champion in all of us. A champion like Hannah Teter knows well how sports can build fitness, confidence and skills and how sports can break down barriers and build respect and inclusion. We are very proud to have Hannah Teter as the latest addition to our Special Olympics family. She will inspire millions of athletes around the world to strive to achieve their personal best.”

About Special Olympics

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than four million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now take place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities all over the world, from community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood’s backyard to World Games. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.